Repetitive motion disorders are a group of problems that occur when you perform the same motion over and over again.
Rather than making your body stronger and more used to the task, this can actually weaken the tendons, muscles, bones, and nerves that are involved in the repetitive motion.
This damage can result in permanent injury to the affected area.
One painful type of repetitive motion disorder is trigger finger, or tenosynovitis.
As the name implies, trigger finger makes your fingers or thumbs curl into a position like you are squeezing a trigger.
Sometimes, they can release with a snap, but extreme damage can leave your digits permanently locked into this position.
Working at a job or a hobby that requires lots of gripping can give you trigger finger.
For instance, if you are in a lawn care business and constantly gripping a lawnmower, blower, or weed-eater, you can develop trigger finger.
Tenosynovitis occurs when the tendons involved in the gripping become inflamed.
Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones, so they must withstand large amounts of pressure in order to keep your muscles and bones attached.
Normally, a sheath around the tendon, containing a lining called tenosynovium, lubricates the tendon so that it can slide along smoothly and easily.
However, if the tendon or tenosynovium swells due to overuse, this constriction causes the tendon to catch inside the sheath, locking your finger into a bent position.
If you notice trigger finger, rest is your first step to preventing permanent damage.
You should also avoid gripping motions.
You may also have to have your finger splinted in a straight position to release the triggering.
However, you may require surgery to release the contracted digit.
If you develop trigger finger while on the job, you may be able to use short-term disability to take a break from work so that you can heal.
For more information, contact a Raleigh workers' compensation lawyer from Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, today.